Death and Dying for People with Learning Difficulties

Overview:

Most people die in a care setting, and have the right to expect the staff team to have the knowledge and skills to deal with ageing, death and bereavement appropriately. This course aims to enable and empower delegates with the knowledge and skills to do this. The course has been devised so that delegate would benefit from attending the ageing and death module, the bereavement module or both. The emphasis is on practical skills and techniques which actually work in a care setting, backed up with good practice and theory.

Aims & Objectives:

Course Aims:

This one day programme aims to examine working with people with learning disabilities who have to cope with loss and change, specifically as a result of bereavement. The programme also considers palliative care for people with learning disabilities, helping staff support those who are dying.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the session, participants will have gained an understanding in supporting customers who have been bereaved or who may be terminally ill.

Course Outline:

  • Consideration of the impact of loss and change situations we have experienced;
  • The losses and change experienced specifically by many people with learning disabilities;
  • The challenges also faced by the families of service users;
  • The stages of the grieving process and an examination of why this might be more difficult for people with learning disabilities;
  • Supporting service users who have been bereaved;
  • Consideration of supporting service users who are terminally ill and the challenges to services;
  • Examination of faith and planning for funerals;
  • The legal aspects and choice;

The course will be delivered using:

  • Presentations
  • Lecture
  • Discussion
  • Group work

Participants will be invited to complete evaluation forms and will be encouraged to discuss their learning and future development needs with their supervisor/manager.